Review: Cochrane Collaboration - Palliative surgery versus medical management for bowel obstruction in ovarian cancer

Surgery compared to non-surgical treatment to relieve symptoms of bowel obstruction in ovarian cancer

Authors' conclusions

We found only low quality evidence comparing palliative surgery and medical management for bowel obstruction in ovarian cancer. Therefore we are unable to reach definite conclusions about the relative benefits and harms of the two forms of treatment, or to identify sub-groups of women who are likely to benefit from one treatment or the other. However, there is weak evidence in support of surgical management to prolong survival.